Beekeeping is often seen as a hobby which is taken up by the older generation, who fill their time with one or two bee hives in the back garden however this is quite the opposite of Dafydd Pett, the owner of The Welsh Honey Company.
Dafydd Pett, from Bridgend, South Wales, started his beekeeping journey with his grandfather, Mike Pett at just age 11 with just one or two hives in the back garden. Dafydd would get paid just £60 per hive every year for the honey that would be sold in local farmers markets.
Mike had been beekeeping since 1969 and introduced Dafydd to beekeeping during a school trip to the apiary with his Primary school.
In 2017, Mike was diagnosed with a rare cancer and suddenly passed away. At the time Dafydd had just turned 15, and with nobody else in the family that kept bees, he inherited all 30 hives. Dafydd had bigger visions than just being a back garden beekeeper. This is where his idea of The Welsh Honey Company began.
Dafydd began attending a range of markets to get his name out into the industry mainly within local farmers markets around the Mid Glamorgan and Vale Of Glamorgan area which was already saturated with local beekeepers trying to sell their honey. “I knew I had to think outside the box and use my youth to my advantage,” said Dafydd. “I created a website for the honey using a drag and drop website builder and began studying SEO to rank me at the top of google for Welsh Honey.”
Dafydd began selling online and quickly built up a reputation for quality honey and his passion for bees. “I realised early on that bees are far more than just producers of honey,” Pett explains. “They are integral to pollination, vital to maintaining biodiversity, and essential to the survival of many plant species. It became clear to me quite early on that beekeeping wasn’t just a hobby for me—it was a responsibility.”
At 17 years of age, Dafydd represented Wales in the International Meeting Of Young Beekeepers which was held in Slovakia. Dafydd’s knowledge of beekeeping was put to the test competing against young beekeepers from countries across the world.
Despite Dafydd traveling to promote beekeeping in Wales, The Welsh Honey Company was thriving with it’s commitment to sustainability which is evident in every stage of its production process.
“Beekeeping while having to take my GCSE’s and A levels really was a juggling act especially as the business was growing at a rapid rate but I wouldn’t change it for the world” said Dafydd.
“Breaking into the honey industry is extremely difficult as the significant businesses have dominated the industry have been running for longer than I have been alive so making significant movement means a lot of hard work needs to be put into the business.
Pett’s journey from hobbyist to successful entrepreneur reflects his drive to create something more than just a business – he is dedicated to preserving Wales' natural environment while promoting beekeeping in Wales. While juggling his beekeeping venture, he is also on the board of trustees for Bridgend & District Beekeeping Association.
“Beekeeping is a skill that has been passed down through generations,” Pett says. “I wanted to help preserve that knowledge while giving modern beekeepers the opportunity to succeed which is why I involve myself with local associations and provide tutorials using media platforms such as YouTube.”
In addition to supporting local beekeepers, The Welsh Honey Company has been an advocate for educating the public about the importance of bees. Pett has worked alongside schools, environmental groups, and local councils to spread awareness about how important bees are in the modern world.
Over the years, The Welsh Honey Company has earned numerous accolades for its commitment to quality and innovation in the honey industry. The company’s honey has been awarded several prestigious titles, including Welsh Honey Enterprise Of The Year 2024, Welsh Honey Enterprise Of The Year 2023 & Most Delicious & Natural Welsh Honey Company 2022.
“We take pride in producing honey that truly reflects the flavour of Wales,” Pett explains. “Every jar is a snapshot of the land, the seasons, and the hardworking bees that make it all possible. We use traditional, time-honoured methods to ensure that every drop of honey retains its natural sweetness and health benefits.”
The Welsh Honey Company has also won Great Taste Awards on a range of products in both 2021 and 2024 making it one of a few Welsh honey producers to win a Great taste Award.
Looking forward, Dafydd Pett is excited about the future of The Welsh Honey Company and the broader impact it can have on both the local community and the environment. As consumer demand for sustainable and ethically sourced products continues to grow, Pett sees opportunities to expand the company’s reach while staying true to its roots in Wales.
“We’ve always been committed to working with nature, not against it,” he says. “In the future, I’d love to see more people in Wales and beyond adopt sustainable beekeeping practices, ensuring that the bees and the natural environment continue to thrive for generations to come. The future of Welsh honey is bright, and we’re just getting started.”
With a growing fan base, an expanding range of products, and a reputation for excellence, Dafydd Pett and The Welsh Honey Company are poised to continue their journey as champions of sustainability, environmental stewardship, and, of course, the bees that make it all possible.

This year marks Dafydd’s 11th anniversary of beekeeping and he is looking forward to many more to come.